Newcastle's prospects of landing Fijian wing Rupeni Caucaunibuca have been given a boost.

Caucaunibuca, currently with Auckland Blues in New Zealand, has rejected an offer from the Brisbane Broncos to switch codes.

Brisbane approached Caucaunibuca's agent about joining the Rugby League side, but was rebuffed as the wing sensation is looking to play in Europe - and the Falcons look front-runners for his signature.

Caucaunibuca is rated the best broken field runner in world rugby and is currently sidelined with a shoulder problem. He is out of contract with Auckland at the end of the season and unless they offer him a big rise he looks set for Tyneside.

The New Zealand Rugby Union say they cannot justify a high salary for Caucaunibuca because he is not eligible to play for the All Blacks.

Meanwhile, Orrell head coach Ross Reynolds is to leave the National League One side at the end of the season. The Australian, who has been in charge for the last two seasons, has been linked with a move to Newcastle as a replacement for forwards' coach Andrew Blades, but he is also being linked with relegated Rotherham.

Wigan, who fund Orrell, have not come up with a new offer to the former Wallaby and Orrell chairman Maurice Lindsay said: "Ross has been a terrific coach and great to work with. He has had great influence on the team and I know he was disappointed not to get promotion.

"We understand he is staying in England and we wish him all the luck in the world with his next club."

Blyth-born prop Steve Sparks, 29, is one of a dozen players, including Scottish international hooker Robbie Russell, shown the door by Saracens.

The exodus follows a major recruitment drive in recent weeks, with Saracens having already made six new signings - Dan Scarbrough, Hugh Vyvyan, Alex Sanderson, Iain Fullarton, Kevin Yates and Matt Cairns.

Russell and Sparks may well interest Newcastle and while they are in the market for a prop, the Falcons priority is boosting their second row personnel after the retirements of Garath Archer and Mark Andrews.